RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Good morning ,

It's Anzac Day and we are one of the few to risk the wrath of supposed conservatives who assume (wrongly) that Anzac Day is so sacred as to be off limits to any comment. And risk the ire of supposed progressives who persist in supporting an insidious form of conversion therapy targetting children suffering a range of emotional distresses.

Lead stories

We wade into a sensitive arena, writing to RSLs in various states to say that the "continued dominance of Christianity in Anzac Day Dawn Services and commemorations risks putting off many Australians, veterans and soldiers.."

"I returned to a church that had joined a radical, international network spurred to indoctrinate the broader community: the ISAAC Network." 

ISAAC stands for the International Strategic Alliance of Apostolic Churches, run by Dr Jonathan David, operating out of Malaysia. On its website, ISAAC lists a number of prophecies, including one that says of Donald Trump: "The more they understand his policies, the more they will be able to discern he is God’s appointed President in this hour .. God will start something fresh and new in this coming election even the president’s enemies will praise him .. The spirit of error, lawlessness and spiritual decline is eating up the fabric of American society. Lies which have been driven by the evil spirits will be exposed. There will be zero tolerance for demonic invasion in the corridors of power.  We will not allow the enemy to sabotage God’s intentions." etc etc

Is the tide turning? Here, an American psychologist reviews the Cass report. Key points:

• The treatment of gender distress is highly politicized, but scientific evidence is lacking.
• A new review concludes that hormone treatment may not reduce the risk of suicide in gender dysphoric youth.
• The review also finds no clear evidence that social transition in childhood has any effects on mental health.
• Blocking puberty may not induce changes in gender dysphoria or body satisfaction.

Other stories of interest

No pupil has right to impose views on a school - prayer ban is Brit values win

Would you be happy as a long-term single? The answer may depend on your attachment style

Researchers come to the amazingly surprising conclusion that, "Insecure singles find singlehood challenging, but secure singles are thriving".

Got a comment on any of these stories? 

Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au

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